What complications can arise?

As with any surgical procedure, root canal treatment involves certain risks and complications that can arise during or after the treatment. A typical side effect of root canal treatment is swelling and pain. In addition, infections, injuries to muscles, nerves or bones or bleeding may occur.

A root canal treatment is an attempt to preserve a tooth that has already been severely damaged by inflammation or even dead tissue. Therefore, the treatment may not be successful because the inflammation has already spread to the surrounding tissue and cannot be fought. In rare cases, it is also possible that the canal system is curved so much that inflamed tissue or bacteria remain in the canals.

Then there is a risk that the tooth will become inflamed again after a short time. In this case a new root canal treatment would be necessary. In the worst case, the tooth may be lost.

This is (somewhat outdated) also known as “cadaveric poison in the tooth”. In general, one should get sufficient advice about the possible risks. To avoid complications after the treatment it is very important to refrain from smoking, not to be exposed to strong heat and to maintain good oral hygiene.

Prophylaxis

When do I need antibiotics?

An antibiotic is appropriate as soon as a patient has artificial heart valves or has already survived an inflammation of the heart valves (= endocarditis). In such cases, the administration of antibiotics is useful to prevent the pathogens from reaching the heart valves by entering the bloodstream and causing the valves to become inflamed.Such an inflammation of the heart valves is very dangerous, which is why the patient is screened beforehand. After the root canal treatment no antibiotics are usually necessary.

The tooth is only definitely filled when, for example, there is no abscess left. In severe cases, an antibiotic can be prescribed to promote its regression. However, it is only in exceptional cases that antibiotics are really necessary and helpful.